ittle lady who
had entered the Parkers' gates.

"Well, was it a success? Did she know you? Tell us about it," said Jack,
eagerly.

"Jack, don't ask me a word."

"Why? I say, what's up? What's the matter? Did she find you out?"

"No, of course not. She never guessed it. But--but--oh, Jack, she told
me something."

"But what was it?"

"I--I don't believe I can tell you!"

[TO BE CONTINUED.]

[Illustration]

THE KNAVE OF HEARTS

A Fourth-of-July Play in One Act.

BY ALBERT LEE.

_CHARACTERS_:

QUEEN OF CLUBS.
QUEEN OF HEARTS.
QUEEN OF SPADES.
QUEEN OF DIAMONDS.
KING OF SPADES.
KING OF DIAMONDS.
JOKER.
KING OF HEARTS.
KING OF CLUBS.
KNAVE OF HEARTS.
KNAVE OF SPADES.
KNAVE OF DIAMONDS.
KNAVE OF CLUBS.

SCENE.--_Audience-chamber in the palace of the KING OF HEARTS. The
thrones of the KING and QUEEN in the centre of the stage at back.
Near the KING's throne a small gilded three-legged stool.
Entrances R. and L. Three arm-chairs R. A bench L. At the rising
of the curtain the JOKER is discovered seated on the KING's
throne, leaning on one elbow, his rattle hanging idly in the other
hand. He is apparently meditating. He speaks slowly, with a pause
between each sentence._

JOKER. Peradventure it may seem improper for a fool to leave his lowly
place and climb upon the throne. But no one's here to say me nay; and by
my faith fools have sat on thrones before. What odds, then, if there's
one fool more or one fool less beneath the dais? To be sure, my crown's
a fool's cap and my sceptre's a rattle, and so, perhaps, not imposing;
but it pleases me to sit here and fancy myself a King. Nay, laugh not.
It's the province of a fool to be foolish. And verily am I not a king?
Am I not monarch of all I survey? In truth I am, for I survey nothing,
and am therefore King of Nothing. There's a title for you--his Majesty
the King of Nothing! (_Yawns and stretches and rises from the throne;
picks up his stool, places it near the front, and sits down._) In faith
the throne's no softer than the stool, and perhaps it is best for me to
cling to this. It affords at least one advantage over the King. If he
falls--and I fall--he gets the greater injury, for he tumbles from a
higher place. (_Laughs softly, and then sings:_)

"For it's nonny, hey nonny, the Jester's song,
It's nonny, hey nonny, hey oh!
For it's nonny, hey nonny, no life is long;